laptop shutting off

[will]

Does anyone know if a laptop shuts off on its own when the battery is dead and needs to be replaced?
It is a Compaq Evo N610c on XP.
I have a laptop that only starts up for about 5 seconds before turning back off, its very frustrating!
Anybody have some input or maybe had it happen to them?
When it does this it is plugged into AC power as well.
Thanks,
Will

[demtron]

This has happened to me on an HP and a Compaq notebook when the charger was fried. You likely need to replace the motherboard as I had to.

[will]

I'll see what an ac charger is going for on Ebay.
I hope its not the mother-board as well.
Thanks,
Will

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

Try running the laptop on ac power only to see if it runs. Remove the battery before doing so. If it still powers off then it could be an ac power issue. If it doesn't then charge the battery as much as you can. Unplug the ac power adapter and run off of battery. If it shuts off on you then your battery has gone bad. Most batteries start going bad from the time they are shipped with the laptop. My battery has recently gone bad. My power supply has a small short in it. Luckily my system is still under warranty. The common reason of why laptop batteries go bad is they are left in the system while the system is using ac power. If you do this too much the life of the battery is drained. Some batteries shut off automatically to help prevent this but some don't. Most new batteries do.

[will]

Thanks, I'll try taking the battery out and using ac only.
But, I don't think the battery has enuff charge to do the other, its a pc that we haven't used often because of this and the battery doesn't have any charge right now I'm quite sure.
I'm anxious to try that.
Will

[will]

I tried taking the battery out and trying it on ac power only and nothing.
There was 3 flashing lights so I know it was plugged in good enuff.
I hit the power on the pc and it didn't do anything. Are you sure it should work with the battery removed?
Will

[brad211987]

Definately try a new charger first, my sister's computer had the same symptoms when the charger went bad. If you know someone with a similar model, try that charger with the battery removed as before so you can see if that helps.

[will]

Okay, thanks.
I'm gonna try that. I don't have a similar model, but I have another laptop (this one). I'm gonna try the same thing on this computer. I'm thinking adapter too.
That would be a reasonable fix.
Will

[will]

I don't have a battery in this computer as I type.
I am hoping that a new ac adapter will fix that other computer.
Thanks all,
Will

[aedsys]

if your ac adopter is plugged then it is a motherboard problem. my advice is that just check this to professional.

[will]

Thanks, but I've orderd an Ebay ac adapter yesterday for $14.89.
There was some on there for 3 or 4 dollars, but I thought I better not cheap out
in case they don't work.
Gonna see what that does before I think about breaking off some more serious
money on the motherboard and repair like that.

[will]

Hi again,
Well, I finally got the ac adapter from mlc distribution. I have good news to report! The new ac adapter has fixed it, it appears. That Compaq laptop is on the internet wirelessly and charging up like a good lappie should.
I just today received the adapter in the mail, its only been 10 days!
They wait until the echeck clears which seems dumb because I think having a verified account should mean no wait, but oh well.
Anyway, it was worth the wait and my lady friend is thrilled!
I hope it stays working. I am glad it wasn't the mother-board too becuz that would mean serious money likely.
Thanks,
Will